Entertainment

The iPad 3 Will Have 4G [REPORT]

It's mid-February, when every true geek's heart turns to rumors of the upcoming Apple iPad. Here's Tuesday's scoop: the iPad 3, set to launch next month, will run on AT&T and Verizon's superfast 4G networks.

According to the Wall Street Journal, which cites the usual "people familiar with the matter," the hotly anticipated tablet will be sold with 4G versions that are capable of picking up LTE signals from one of the nation's two top carriers. Verizon and AT&T both currently sell 3G versions of the iPad 2 that are equipped to run on their networks.

LTE technology is hardly ubiquitous; it'll take until the end of 2013 for 80% of the U.S. to be covered. But the report suggests the iPad 3 will revert to 3G signal when there's no LTE available, which makes a lot of sense. (We also expect Apple will continue to sell cheaper Wi-Fi-only versions of the tablet.)

The other problem with LTE, known to just about anyone who has used a 4G smartphone, is that it's a battery hog. We'll be very curious to find out if Apple has figured a way to maintain the much-prized 10-hour battery life — fast becoming the industry standard for good tablets, not to mention smartphones — while still running LTE. If so, we expect a 4G iPhone — the iPhone 5, most likely — is not far off.

If anything, the news will be a boon to Verizon. The carrier may be playing catch-up to AT&T overall, but when it comes to LTE, they're streets ahead. Some 200 million American consumers are in the Verizon LTE coverage zone, while AT&T only covers 74 million with the 4G technology. AT&T has been late to the LTE game, having made a bet on a rival 4G technology, HSPA+. But it's catching up fast.

That may be way too many acronyms for one paragraph, so let us state it again more plainly: the iPad 3 is coming, likely within a month. The version that sells with pay-as-you-go Internet access should be much faster in most areas, especially if you buy it from Verizon. As for whether it will have a better battery life: stay tuned.

8 iPad 3 Rumors

1. Minor Upgrades

iLounge recently reported that it saw a prototype of the next-generation iPad at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and that it looks just like the iPad 2, only thicker by about 1 mm. The camera in the top left corner is expected to be a bit larger than the iPad 2 and similar to the improved camera featured on the iPhone 4S.

It’s also been rumored that the next-generation iPad will have a high-resolution screen – possibly even double dpi -- and a stronger interior. However, the updates seen by iLounge seem to be more cosmetic than structural. Could the next-generation device be an upgrade similar to that of the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S?

2. Delayed Launch

Due to some international weather conditions such as a flood in Thailand, some believe there is a bit of uncertainty with Apple’s supply chain in parts of Asia that would put the release date in question. However, analysts at Citigroup believe everything is on schedule and that the launch will happen as planned, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

3. First-Quarter Unveiling

Citigroup also expects the next-generation iPad will be unveiled in February, citing a few sources close to the matter. The iPad 2 was announced on March 2, 2011, so an announcement close to previous model launch dates is expected. Some also speculate that the event could be held on Feb. 24 – Steve Jobs's birthday.

4. March Arrival

MacRumors recently cited Japanese reports that Foxconn and Pegatron – two key manufacturing partners for Apple – have started producing the next-generation iPad and plan to ship the device in March.

5. Siri

According to a 9to5Mac report, Apple may be adding Siri Dictation to the next-generation iPad. A tipster noted that they were looking through the iOS 5.1 beta 3 settings application on the iPad and noted a new section called “Privacy and Dictation.” Inside included legal and feature information for Siri.

6. A Cheaper iPad Model

The DigiTimes recently reported that a less expensive iPad model will also be released with the next-generation iPad to offer an alternative to the Kindle Fire.

7. Price Cuts on Previous Models

Some are holding out on purchasing an Apple tablet until price cuts occur on previous iPad models after the unveiling of the next-generation version. Since the cost of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G lowered after the iPhone 4S debuted, it’s possible that the first two versions of the iPad could experience a price drop.

8. Unconventional Uses for Previous Models

With the arrival of the next-generation iPad, some expect that previous models will be used to foster research in the future. In fact, according to a report by Scientific American, some previous versions of the iPad could end up in the hands of Orangutans. A non-profit organization called Orangutan Outreach gathers donated iPads to help animals learn and even communicate with others. Scientific American also noted that iPads are a therapeutic device and help orangutans in captivity stay active and happy.

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